Single Vehicle Accident Liability in Florida

Being in a car accident in Florida is difficult enough, but if you were the only car involved in the collision itself, it can be quite easy to assume you’re the only one to blame. The good news is that drivers who end up in single-vehicle accidents in Florida can file a claim against their own insurance.

But what happens if their losses go beyond that coverage? That’s a genuine and deep concern, seeing as single-vehicle accidents tend to result in greater proportions of serious crashes. Crashes against fixed objects and pedestrians, as well as non-collisions, make up 56% of fatal crashes.

With that in mind, continue on with this article by Fort Lauderdale auto accident attorney Aaron Silvers to learn more about how single-vehicle accidents in Florida occur and what legal options you may have to recover your losses in such circumstances.

Examples of Single-Car Crashes in Florida

Single-vehicle accidents in Florida are those in which only one car sustains damage. The term applies even if the accident occurred as a result of another driver’s actions but did not directly affect their vehicle.

Numerous types of single-vehicle accidents can occur on Florida roads. Among the most common include collisions with light poles, mailboxes, guardrails, and trees and even incidents wherein the vehicle ends up in a ditch.

Reasons These Accidents Happen

There are a number of common reasons for single-vehicle accidents in Florida. And as with all accident types, distracted driving is among the most common. Anyone who fails to pay full attention to the road ahead can miss hazards like falling debris, potholes, or other vehicles.

A distracted driver may only notice these at the last second and thus swerve to avoid the obstacle, potentially causing a crash in the process.

Intoxicated driving is another issue that causes single-vehicle accidents in Florida. Just a single drink can be enough to increase your risk of experiencing coordination issues that could send you careening into objects like guardrails. And if high speeds are involved, such an outcome is even more likely,

Poor road conditions are, in and of themselves, an issue as well. It’s very easy to lose control of a vehicle if the road is slick. The Sunshine State, despite the name, receives a significant amount of rainfall each year, which causes the roads to get very slippery. Potholes and similar hazards can cause you to lose control as well. And although snow is not a concern in Florida, it does occasionally hail, which means there could be ice on the road on the state’s coldest days, making vehicles more likely to slip.

Mechanical issues can also lead to single-vehicle accidents in Florida. If your car malfunctions in any way, you’ll likely lose control of it and could end up hitting stationary objects or driving into ditches as a result. Similarly, if another, bigger vehicle malfunctions and causes debris to fall, your car can sustain all manner of damage, and your maneuvers to avoid the debris can lead to a more serious single-vehicle crash.

One last cause of single-vehicle accidents in Florida is drowsy driving. Operating a car while exhausted makes you just as dangerous on the road as if you were intoxicated. Your reactions and reflexes can be just as impaired, meaning anything could cause you to lose control of your vehicle.

Liability When a Crash Involving Just One Car Happens

Florida is a no-fault state, so your insurance will always cover losses up to the policy limit. In situations when that may not be enough, however, it’s important to know if there are other liable parties.

If an animal crossed in front of you and you swerved, hitting a tree, only you are liable for the collision. However, if the road was so full of potholes and pavement issues that it caused you to lose control of the vehicle, you may be able to hold the entities in charge of maintaining the street liable.

Car malfunctions that cause single-vehicle accidents in Florida could open the door to filing a claim against the manufacturer of the vehicle or (if you recently had your car checked) a mechanic who might have missed a defective part.

In instances when a pedestrian or bicycle unexpectedly enters the road and you maneuver to avoid hitting them, they could be liable for the losses you sustain as well. The same applies if a second driver is distracted or intoxicated and their conduct forces you to take defensive maneuvers, like swerving, that result in losses for you.

Insurance Coverage for Single-Car Crashes

After single-vehicle accidents in Florida, the insurance coverage that you can rely on will depend on the exact nature of the collision and on the insurance you have. Specifically, what insurers will look at is whether the accident could have been prevented.

If it could, then your collision car insurance can address your losses. If it was impossible to predict, such as when an animal’s sudden appearance led you to swerve out of the way, comprehensive insurance coverage could apply.

The type of insurance you have will then dictate the claim you make. Collision insurance will help with vehicular repairs or replacements, while comprehensive insurance can compensate you for a number of other losses.

Single-Car Crash Lawyers in Fort Lauderdale

Being involved in single-vehicle accidents in Florida can leave drivers with serious injuries that their insurance won’t cover. If that’s the case, and your accident occurred because of another driver’s negligence, mechanical failures, or road conditions, you can hold other parties liable for your losses.

It’s not easy to navigate the Florida claims process alone, but at Schilling & Silvers Personal Injury and Car Accident Lawyers, our team of car accident attorneys can investigate the accident and prepare a strong case to help you receive the assistance you deserve. Contact our team today to schedule a free consultation.